Jared McCain had a standout performance, scoring a season-high 21 points, as the Oklahoma City Thunder, despite being short-handed, managed to secure a 105-86 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night.
McCain, recently acquired from the Philadelphia 76ers, found his rhythm, shooting an impressive 7 of 12 from the field and sinking 3 of 6 from beyond the arc. His contributions off the bench were crucial, especially with the Thunder missing key players like reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and 2025 All-Star Jalen Williams, both sidelined with injuries.
The Thunder showcased a well-rounded offensive effort. Chet Holmgren chipped in with 15 points, while Isaiah Joe added 11. Isaiah Hartenstein and Lu Dort each contributed 10 points, highlighting the team's depth and resilience.
For the Nets, Michael Porter Jr. led the charge with 22 points and nine rebounds, and Nolan Traore added 17 points. However, Brooklyn struggled with their shooting, hitting just 36.7% from the field, marking their third consecutive loss.
Oklahoma City initially trailed 23-21 after the first quarter but quickly turned the tide in the second, surging ahead to a 38-26 lead. The Nets went cold, failing to score a field goal for over eight minutes in the quarter.
A pivotal moment came when Lu Dort was fouled on a successful 3-pointer, converting the free throw to extend the Thunder's lead to 43-30. By halftime, Oklahoma City held a commanding 50-33 lead, having limited Brooklyn to just 3-for-17 shooting in the second quarter. This defensive effort resulted in the lowest-scoring half the Thunder have allowed this season.
Nikola Topic, a Thunder guard who recently returned to action after battling testicular cancer, made a notable impact with a 3-pointer and a finger roll during a 7-3 run that pushed the Thunder's lead to 86-70.
Looking ahead, the Nets will face Atlanta on Sunday, while the Thunder will host Cleveland, aiming to build on this strong performance.